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Friday, May 19, 2017

AotM: Crossroads by Riley Hart (Review+Giveaway)

After divorcing the woman he’d been with since
he was seventeen, Nick Fuller is starting over. He owns the restaurant of his
dreams and he’s determined to meet new people, find new passions, and
experience life to its fullest. Easier said than done—that is until he meets
his new neighbor, Bryce Tanner…

Bryce is all about a good time. He plans to show
Nick how it’s done, help him meet a few women, and enjoy the gift of the single
life he’s been given. But things don’t go as planned, and soon they realize
they’d rather be together than with anyone else.

Neither man has ever wanted another guy, but
there’s a connection between them from the start—a spark they can’t deny. They
find themselves navigating an unfamiliar new world and dealing with unforeseen
obstacles. Physical desire isn’t enough, and now Nick and Bryce are at a
crossroads. They have to decide which way to go: the easy path they’ve always
followed, or the one that's determined to trip them up at every turn.

5 Stars!

This is my favorite Riley Hart book of all. I think I've read it at least once or twice every year since it came out. It's one of my go to books for when I'm in a rut because I know I'm going to enjoy it. I adore Nick and Bryce, these boys own a piece of my heart.

What I Loved: I'm not ashamed to admit I love GFY. One of the very first MM books I read was GFY and the story was so fantastic that after I read every GFY book I could find, so when I saw Crossroads I was super excited and it did not let me down. Both Bryce and Nick have never even looked at another man but there is this undeniable connection between them. They just fit, as friends and lovers and the chemistry is off the charts.

I loved that both men naturally progressed from friends to more. In fact, they didn't even realize how they felt about one another until it was pointed out to them. That's a great scene, actually and I'm glad that Nick's reaction was so natural or I guess I can say, instinctual. Bryce seems to just leap before he thinks in all aspects of life, but Nick is a thinker and that made things feel more real to me.

I also can't begin to say how much I liked that this story wasn't about unnecessary drama and conflict. There wasn't the evil crazy plotting ex or a secret stalker or anything. There wasn't a bunch of break ups and getting back together or misunderstandings that become blown out of proportion. This is really just a sexy, sweet, sometimes angsty story about two men who fall in love with each other and find that as different as it is, this relationship is the best and most real love they've ever known. They face real life obstacles with family and friends' opinions, as well as what it means to be attracted to another man for the first time in life. They have to learn how to navigate their new relationship.

What I Liked: I loved the intimate scenes but I was a little shocked over how fast Bryce jumped into the sexual discovery. I feel like there should have been a bit more fumbling.

What I Didn't Like: truthfully, I wanted more, it ended too soon for me, LOL! I could've kept reading about these boys for days. I really wanted to see them moving forward and what happens in their lives and their families. I just can't get enough of Bryce and Nick.

I definitely recommend Crossroads. I'm a huge fan of Riley Hart and this series. If you like GFY, you definitely have to read it.

I can't believe that it's been almost two years since the release of Crossroads, and that I have yet to review it! Crossroads by Riley Hart is a special book to me because it was the first M/M book I read, and I fell in love with it. Since that time almost two years ago, I couldn't tell you the number of times I've read the book or listened to the audio, but I can tell you it's more than ten times. This is the book that made me aware of this genre, and completely changed my reading habits. Once I finished this book, I had to start looking for similar books and started reading every book that Riley wrote. She is one of my go to authors. I have read almost all of her books, and most of them I've read multiple times. I've said it before, but Riley writes more than hot, sexy, romantic stories. She builds worlds and characters that I want to spend my time getting to know better. Every time I've reread one of Riley's books, I feel like I'm catching up with old friends.

Crossroads is about two men who are beginning again in their lives. They're both single and consider themselves straight, if they were ever to even think about it. They're both happy with their careers, and have moved into a new place, right next door to each other. Both men come from large, meddling families and strike up a friendship. But Nick and Bryce are opposites. Nick is a thinker and planner that will overthink everything. Nick married his high school sweetheart, didn't date around, and now that he's single, has no interest in dating and especially no interest in hooking up or one-night-stands. Bryce acts without thinking, has had very few serious relationships, and is always looking to have a good time. Both of these men are sweet and funny and guys you want to be friends with.

Crossroads is a double GFY, and I know that's a term that many people get upset about but I don't. Personally, I don't really like labels especially when it comes to attraction and love. I think Riley did a fantastic job of storytelling for two men who have found themselves attracted to someone of the same sex. Neither man just jumped in and found perfection. Nick and Bryce had to do a lot of thinking, research and were tentative in their exploration. Even once they agreed to see what happens, their relationship moved slowly. And their explorations were sometimes quite awkward but endearing. But throughout, you could see the strength in the relationship and love that Nick and Bryce were building. And there is no doubt that these two men have found love with each other.

I couldn't tell you the number of times I've recommended this book to others, even my friends that are M/F readers because the love, friendship, caring, support, and strength of Nick and Bryce are what makes this such a beautiful story. If you haven't read this book yet (seriously?), then you definitely need to!

Congrats Riley!! I love gfy... It's one of my favorite themes. Collide and Crossroads by Riley are 2 of my fave gfy books. Collide by Riley Hart has my favorite Riley characters in Noah and Cooper... Love them!! My favorite Riley collaboration is Weight of the World with Devon McCormack. I like seeing how authors work together to create a book. I'd ask Riley who her favorite character is and why?

Congrats on AotM and thanks for the good reviews. I'm not as keen on GFY, if it's just that. I prefer it to be part of a larger story and self-identification process. Like Tal Bauer's Executive Office series. - Purple Reader,TheWrote [at] aol [dot] com